A Mùa A Nênh – Tà Xùa Shan Tuyết Tea Artisan
Ancient Tea Trees • Handcrafted Highland Tea • Mong Cultural Heritage
⛰ Elevation 1300–1500m
🌱 Tea Craft Since 2015
Mong tea artisan preserving ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees in the mountains of Tà Xùa.
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Overview & Cultural Heritage
A Mùa A Nênh, born in 1996, is a young Mong tea artisan from Bản Bẹ village, Tà Xùa commune, Sơn La province — one of Vietnam’s most renowned high mountain Shan Tuyết tea regions.
Located at an elevation of approximately 1300–1500 meters above sea level, the region is covered in mist throughout the year, creating ideal conditions for ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees to thrive naturally.
Bản Bẹ is home to a 100% Mong ethnic community where traditional culture remains deeply preserved.
During Lunar New Year festivals and community celebrations, villagers continue to practice traditional activities such as Pa Pao throwing, crossbow shooting, pounding sticky rice cakes, and playing Tô Lô.
Traditional clothing is still hand-sewn by Mong women during agricultural off-seasons.
On every ancestral altar, four cups of tea are traditionally placed as a spiritual symbol of gratitude, respect, and connection to ancestors.
| Location | Bản Bẹ, Tà Xùa, Sơn La, Vietnam |
| Tea Variety | Ancient Shan Tuyết Tea |
| Elevation | 1300–1500 meters |
| Tea Processing | Traditional Handcrafted Methods |
Tea Philosophy
- Preserving ancient tea forests
- Handcrafted small-batch production
- Natural cultivation without chemicals
- Protecting Mong tea heritage
Ancient Tea Trees & Sustainable Cultivation
A Mùa A Nênh’s family currently owns more than 100 ancient Shan Tuyết tea trees aged between 100 and 300 years old,
along with approximately 100 younger tea trees under 100 years old.
According to A Nênh, local villagers collectively maintain around 30–40 hectares of Shan Tuyết tea growing areas across the high mountain slopes of Tà Xùa.
In 2018, beyond harvesting tea trees inherited from previous generations,
A Nênh began planting more than 1 hectare of new Shan Tuyết tea on his family’s mountain land.
Seeds were carefully selected from healthy ancient tea trees.
He personally prepared nursery bags and cultivated the seedlings for approximately one year before transplanting them into the mountains.
This long-term effort reflects his commitment to preserving Shan Tuyết tea resources for future generations.
Journey Into Tea Craftsmanship
In 2015, after inheriting the family’s Shan Tuyết tea area in Bản Bẹ village,
A Mùa A Nênh realized that tea was not only a daily beverage for local villagers,
but also a product of cultural, sensory, and economic value.
At that time, his parents primarily produced tea for family and village consumption.
During the early years, he taught himself tea-making through continuous experimentation.
Many batches failed due to lack of experience, while the consumer market for Tà Xùa Shan Tuyết tea remained very limited.
However, through persistence and dedication, his craftsmanship improved significantly by 2017,
and customer demand gradually increased.
From initially producing only green tea,
A Nênh later mastered additional tea styles including black tea, white tea, and raw Pu-erh tea.
Customers from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City gradually became familiar with the flavor of Tà Xùa high mountain tea and became loyal returning customers.
Tea Processing & Craftsmanship
All tea products are handcrafted in small batches.
Every stage is judged through touch, sight, smell, and the accumulated experience of the tea artisan.
Concentration and timing are critical factors determining the final tea quality.
- Green Tea: naturally withered for 1–2 hours, hand-fired on a cast iron pan over a wood stove for 15–20 minutes, hand-rolled, then slowly dried.
- Black Tea: overnight withering for 6–7 hours, hand-rolled, cloth-bag fermentation for 3–4 hours, followed by repeated sun drying.
- White Tea: naturally withered under alternating sunlight and shade for multiple days depending on weather and airflow conditions.
- Raw Pu-erh Tea: hand-fired over charcoal heat, hand-rolled, and naturally sun-dried to preserve mountain aroma and aging potential.
Signature Tea Products
Shan Tuyết Green Tea
Fresh mountain aroma with a sweet lingering aftertaste.
300g: 270,000 VND • 500g: 445,000 VND
Shan Tuyết Black Tea
Smooth texture with warm sweetness and fruity notes.
300g: 300,000 VND • 500g: 495,000 VND
Shan Tuyết White Tea
Delicate floral aroma with natural sweetness and smooth texture.
White Peony: 300g: 300,000 VND • 500g: 495,000 VND
Shan Tuyết Bud White Tea
Premium buds with two processing styles: natural withering or lightly roasted.
300g: 600,000 VND • 500g: 995,000 VND
Raw Shan Tuyết Pu-erh Tea
Mountain forest character with long-term aging potential.
300g: 300,000 VND • 500g: 495,000 VND
Wild Forest Raw Pu-erh Tea
Harvested from ancient tea forests at >1500 meters elevation.
300g: 540,000 VND • 500g: 895,000 VND
Tea Brewing Guide
- Use 5–8g tea for 150ml water
- Water temperature: 90–95°C
- Increase steeping time gradually by 5–10 seconds
- Multiple infusions retain clear flavor and aroma
Cultural & Environmental Impact
A Mùa A Nênh’s tea work contributes to preserving ancient tea forests,
sustaining Mong cultural identity,
and creating long-term economic opportunities for mountain communities in Tà Xùa.
His handcrafted teas represent both agricultural heritage and the living spirit of Vietnam’s Northwestern highlands.